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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Responses

This vocal punk pair sparked widespread debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the performance breached content guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."